Additions: G Sergei Bobrovsky, D Ryan Murray, C Brandon Dubinsky, C Artem Anisimov, LW Nick Foligno, D Adrian Aucoin, D Tim Erixon
Subtractions: RW Rick Nash, D Marc Methot
UFAs: G Curtis Sanford, D Aaron Johnson, D Brett Lebda, D Radek Martinek, LW Kristian Huselius, C Darryl Boyce
Promotion candidates: RW Tomas Kubalik, D Cody Goloubef, C Boone Jenner
That's
all over now, and the Blue Jackets are again left searching for an
identity. After six months of rumors dating to the trade deadline,
general manager Scott Howson made the deal official on July 23,
sending Nash, prospect Steven
Delisle and a conditional third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft
to the New York
Rangers in exchange for forwards Brandon
Dubinsky and Artem
Anisimov, defenseman Tim
Erixon and a first-round pick in 2013. "This trade brings us
the right balance we were seeking in any trade for Rick: a balance
between helping the team now and helping the team in the future,"
Howson told the Columbus Dispatch. In his response to criticism of
the return for Nash, Howson has reiterated that the organization was
building for the future. After finishing with 65 points and a
minus-60 goal differential in 2011-12, it's no surprise Howson wants
to look forward. In addition to Nash, multiple offseason roster moves
mean the Columbus of 2012-13 will look far different from seasons
past. The Jackets started in the crease, acquiring the young and
promising Sergei
Bobrovsky from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for three
draft picks on draft day. Howson said Bobrovsky, who was 42-23-10 in
two seasons with the Flyers, will fight incumbent Steve
Mason for the No. 1 spot. "We don't have a No. 1,"
Howson said. "We will be more than happy to go to training camp,
if that's all we do, then those two will fight it out to see who gets
the most playing time, and I think that's a great competitive
situation for our hockey team." Columbus then grabbed Ryan
Murray, a defenseman experts agree was the most NHL-ready
prospect at the position in this class, with the second pick of the
2012 NHL Draft. Murray's no roster lock, however, as Columbus has
assembled a deep and talented defense. In addition to Erixon, the
Jackets re-signed leading blueline scorer Nikita
Nikitin to a two-year deal and added veteran Adrian
Aucoin on a one-year contract, likely in a mentor role for
Columbus' stable of up-and-coming rearguards. When you add top
prospects David
Savard and John
Moore to that growing list of talent, Murray's inclusion is no
guarantee. "(Defense) is certainly the strongest part of our
team, and I think it's crucial to win in the NHL from the back end
out," Howson said on draft day. "We added a goalie today,
so hopefully we're getting a little sturdier in the defensive zone
and in defending. Now we're going to have to address how we score."
Goals were a problem all season for Columbus. The Jackets finished
26th in the League with 2.42 goals-per-game, and losing Nash – in
addition to Jeff
Carter's trade to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline –
means Columbus is likely to start the season with no 30-goal scorers
on its roster. Howson spent the summer replacing those prolific
scorers with grinding forwards who possess potential for breakout
years. He shipped Marc
Methot to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Nick
Foligno, who had 15 goals and 32 assists playing mostly on the
third line in 2011-12 during the regular season. He should see action
in the top six in Columbus, as will Dubinsky and Anisimov – two-way
forwards with size and skill who struggled to score last season. The
Jackets also signed Jonathan Audy-Marchessault to a three-year,
entry-level deal. He was undrafted, but scored 24 goals and 40
assists for the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League last
season. The major question mark remains one of leadership, as Nash's
departure leaves the franchise without its captain. Jack
Johnson, the dynamic defenseman who came over in the deal that
sent Carter to the Kings, was a positive locker-room presence as
rumors of the Nash trade swirled. Johnson then captained the U.S.
team at the World Championships in Sweden. Key defenseman James
Wisniewski is also respected among teammates,
and
alternate captains R.J.
Umberger
and Vinny
Prospal are candidates. No matter who dons the "C" for
the season opener, they'll lead a team that can only improve on its
lackluster 2011-12 campaign.
When
the Columbus
Blue Jackets made the move to acquire Nick
Foligno from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Marc
Methot, general manager Scott Howson was making a calculated
move. Despite Methot's popularity among the Nationwide Arena
faithful, Columbus had a glut of defensemen and a need for
point-producing forwards. By all accounts, that's exactly what
24-year-old Foligno has become. The Buffalo, N.Y., native increased
his point total over each of his four full seasons in Ottawa. In
2011-12, Foligno scored a career-high 47 points – 15 goals and 32
assists – despite playing mostly on the third line during the
regular season and competing for minutes with prolific scorers Jason
Spezza, Milan
Michalek and Daniel
Alfredsson. "We're excited about Nick," Howson told
reporters at the time. "He's a versatile forward coming off a
career year. Where he fits will be up to him, but certainly we see
him really contributing. He'll increase our competitive level and he
can play virtually every forward position." The Jackets signed
Foligno to a three-year, $9.25 million contract, making it clear he
would be a critical cog in a Columbus attack that finished 26th in
goals last season. With the trade of Rick
Nash later in July, Foligno's importance as a producer became
even more pronounced. After seasons in the Senators' supporting cast,
Foligno told reporters he was ready for a starring role in Columbus.
"There are going to be some ups and downs, but I'm definitely
looking at myself to fill in that offensive role and be a contributor
on a nightly basis, and be a solid all-around player," Foligno
said when he signed. "It's definitely something I pride myself
on and want to be able to do. Hopefully, surrounded by the right
guys, I can bring that to the team." However, reservations exist
about Foligno's leading-man credentials. Of his 15 goals, four were
empty-netters. He also led the Senators with .68 secondary assists
per 60 minutes, which suggests he's not directly responsible for as
many scoring opportunities as 32 assists would suggest. Despite these
questions, Foligno is certainly an asset. A physical presence,
Foligno had 87 hits last season and a career-high 124 PIMs. His
effective shot, puck possession and playmaking skill are undeniable.
Importantly, he has grown adept at goalie interference. With
potentially an expanded role among the top six in Columbus, Foligno
will have ample opportunity to exhibit his gifts. His transition will
be aided by an American-heavy attack, including Cam
Atkinson, R.J.
Umberger and Brandon
Dubinsky. Defenseman Jack
Johnson is also there, a player Foligno has grown up with in the
U.S. National Team Development Program. "I can't say enough
about how happy I am about the opportunity I'm getting here in
Columbus," Foligno told reporters. "(Johnson) is a great
talent and a good friend. I got to know him at a young age, and I'm
sure I'll get in touch with him in the next little while here."
While Foligno is happy with an expanded role with the Blue Jackets,
his ability to capitalize on that role will be critical come October.
When the Columbus
Blue Jackets made the move to acquire Nick
Foligno from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Marc
Methot, general manager Scott Howson was making a calculated
move. Despite Methot's popularity among the Nationwide Arena
faithful, Columbus had a glut of defensemen and a need for
point-producing forwards. By all accounts, that's exactly what
24-year-old Foligno has become. The Buffalo, N.Y., native increased
his point total over each of his four full seasons in Ottawa. In
2011-12, Foligno scored a career-high 47 points – 15 goals and 32
assists – despite playing mostly on the third line during the
regular season and competing for minutes with prolific scorers Jason
Spezza, Milan
Michalek and Daniel
Alfredsson. "We're excited about Nick," Howson told
reporters at the time. "He's a versatile forward coming off a
career year. Where he fits will be up to him, but certainly we see
him really contributing. He'll increase our competitive level and he
can play virtually every forward position." The Jackets signed
Foligno to a three-year, $9.25 million contract, making it clear he
would be a critical cog in a Columbus attack that finished 26th in
goals last season. With the trade of Rick
Nash later in July, Foligno's importance as a producer became
even more pronounced. After seasons in the Senators' supporting cast,
Foligno told reporters he was ready for a starring role in Columbus.
"There are going to be some ups and downs, but I'm definitely
looking at myself to fill in that offensive role and be a contributor
on a nightly basis, and be a solid all-around player," Foligno
said when he signed. "It's definitely something I pride myself
on and want to be able to do. Hopefully, surrounded by the right
guys, I can bring that to the team." However, reservations exist
about Foligno's leading-man credentials. Of his 15 goals, four were
empty-netters. He also led the Senators with .68 secondary assists
per 60 minutes, which suggests he's not directly responsible for as
many scoring opportunities as 32 assists would suggest.
Despite
these questions, Foligno is certainly an asset. A physical presence,
Foligno had 87 hits last season and a career-high 124 PIMs. His
effective shot, puck possession and playmaking skill are undeniable.
Importantly, he has grown adept at goalie interference. With
potentially an expanded role among the top six in Columbus, Foligno
will have ample opportunity to exhibit his gifts. His transition will
be aided by an American-heavy attack, including Cam
Atkinson, R.J.
Umberger and Brandon
Dubinsky. Defenseman Jack
Johnson is also there, a player Foligno has grown up with in the
U.S. National Team Development Program. "I can't say enough
about how happy I am about the opportunity I'm getting here in
Columbus," Foligno told reporters. "(Johnson) is a great
talent and a good friend. I got to know him at a young age, and I'm
sure I'll get in touch with him in the next little while here."
While Foligno is happy with an expanded role with the Blue Jackets,
his ability to capitalize on that role will be critical come October.
A
year ago, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson acquired
Jeff Carter,
James
Wisniewski, Nikita
Nikitin and Mark
Letestu and made it clear the team was done rebuilding. This
summer, it looks as if the rebuilding process has only just begun.
After kicking off 2011-12 with the worst start in franchise history,
coach Scott
Arniel was replaced by assistant Todd
Richards. Months after arriving, Carter was shipped to the Los
Angeles Kings at the trade deadline, and rumors of captain Rick
Nash's trade loomed over the Jackets throughout the spring.
Following their lowest point total (65) since 2003-04, the Jackets
continued to shake up the roster this offseason. In July, Columbus
finally traded Nash to the New
York Rangers. With the face of the franchise gone, Columbus faces
more question marks than ever with October fast approaching.
When
Carter departed for Los Angeles at the trade deadline, Columbus lost
one of its two players who scored at least 30 goals in 2010-11. Nash
was the other, and his 30 goals in 2011-12 led a team that struggled
to score all season. R.J.
Umberger is now the roster's leading scorer, with 20 goals last
season and 143 for his career. While the defense is one of the
League's most promising, the lack of a natural goal-scoring threat
will be an obstacle the Jackets must overcome. With Brandon
Dubinsky, Artem
Anisimov and Nick
Foligno all arriving this summer, the potential for goals is in
place, although the trio totaled just 41 goals in 2011-12. Young
forward Cam
Atkinson also possesses a goal-scoring pedigree and finished the
season with five goals in the final two games. "I'm really
excited about what the new guys can bring," Howson told Blue
Jackets TV. "We took 30 goals out of the lineup (with Nash), but
we brought in with Foligno and Dubinsky and Anisimov and maybe a full
year from Cam
Atkinson. I think there's a lot of potential there."
Drafted
with the first pick by the organization in 2002 and named captain in
March 2008, Nash has led Columbus both on the ice and off it for the
better part of five seasons. But his clear desire for a move away
from Columbus – and the ever-present trade rumors throughout the
spring – did nothing for team unity. More than ever, a committed
captain is needed to refocus the troops and redefine the team's
identity. Currently the longest-tenured Jackets player is Jared
Boll, who made his debut in 2007. But as a third- or
fourth-liner, Boll isn't likely to get the "C" come
October. The safe pick would be current alternate captain Umberger,
who is entering his fifth season in Columbus. From nearby Pittsburgh,
Umberger has been a consistent 20-goal, 30-assist performer, although
his production dipped last season. There's a chance that fellow
American Jack
Johnson could leapfrog Umberger in training camp. Despite only
joining the Blue Jackets at the trade deadline, Johnson is a proven
leader who captained the U.S. team at the World Championships in May.
It's also worth noting that since Johnson joined Columbus, the
Jackets did not lose a game when leading after two periods.
Last
season, the Blue Jackets finished dead last in the League on the
penalty kill (76.6 percent) and were 24th in power-play conversion
rate (15.5 percent). Those numbers are commensurate with a team that
struggled on both sides of the puck, and Howson used the offseason to
build a team better suited to odd-man situations. While Nash scored
six power-play goals and two shorthanded in 2011-12, odd-man scoring
wasn't an issue for the Blue Jackets. Columbus tied for eighth in
power-play goals (49) and ninth in shorthanded goals (seven), meaning
production was a team effort. Nash was once a force on the penalty
kill, but had seen less time in shorthanded situations of late. In
the swap with New York, Columbus picked up Brandon
Dubinsky, a physical presence who was one of the most-used
Rangers on the penalty kill. Re-signing Nikita
Nikitin was key, as he and Fedor
Tyutin should again be the top defense pairing, and the addition
of Sergei
Bobrovsky adds vital stability in the crease.
As a
rookie in 2011-12, the former Boston College standout, Cam Atkinson,
quickly became a fan favorite when he joined the Jackets for good in
late February. An undersized forward – Atkinson is 5-foot-7 and 172
pounds – he first turned heads with his highlight-reel shootout
winner past Miikka
Kiprusoff on March 18. For an encore, Atkinson scored five goals
in the final two games of the season, giving hope to an organization
desperate for a consistent threat. "This year was a huge
learning experience, since it was my first year as a pro, so I wasn't
really too sure what to expect going into the season," Atkinson
told reporters after the season. "But it's held up really great.
My expectations for me are going to be really high next year."
By all accounts, "Cam-sanity" will continue to grip
Nationwide Arena next season when Atkinson should see time in a
top-six role.
It
was a tale of two seasons for Sergei
Bobrovsky in Philadelphia. As a rookie, he started from day one
and finished with a 28-13-8 record and a 2.59 goals-against average.
After a subpar postseason saw him replaced by backup Brian
Boucher, the Flyers signed Ilya
Bryzgalov to a 10-year contract and Bobrovsky was relegated to a
relief role in 2011-12. He struggled, going 14-10-2 with a .899 save
percentage. Which Bobrovsky will show up for the Blue Jackets? With
slumping Steve
Mason his only real competition for the No. 1 spot, Bobrovsky
should gain confidence as the go-to guy in Columbus. "Bob"
will also benefit from an arguably stronger blue line in Columbus
than he had down the stretch with the Flyers. Perhaps most
importantly, a solid group of his countrymen – Nikitin, Tyutin and
Artem Anisimov
among them – should aid in the Russian's transition.
While
there were plenty of on-ice distractions in 2011-12, Columbus'
struggles were due in part to inconsistencies behind the bench.
Following the worst start in franchise history – 1-9-1 through 11
games – it was just a matter of time before Scott
Arniel lost his job. He was eventually relieved of duties on Jan.
9, with Columbus sporting an 11-25-5 mark. Todd Richards stepped into
the fold, acting as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
After leading the Jackets to a respectable 18-21-2 record, the
interim tag was lifted for good May 14. The team seemed to find its
strengths in the face of adversity over the final three months, and
that trend will need to continue in the post-Nash era.
Last
season began with great expectations, but a disastrous start,
injuries and another year of sub-par goaltending left the Columbus
Blue Jackets in disarray. They finished with the worst record in
the League, but the Edmonton
Oilers won the draft lottery and the No. 1 pick. General manager
Scott Howson added goaltender Sergei
Bobrovsky at the draft in a trade and potentially a franchise
defenseman with No. 2 pick Ryan
Murray. Eventually, Howson traded the franchise's greatest
player, Rick
Nash, to the New
York Rangers. In the aftermath, the Blue Jackets are lacking in
star power but do have a lot of options up front and on defense. They
are going to have to score by committee, but if Bobrovsky can play
well behind what should be a decent defense, the Blue Jackets will be
more competitive.
Forwards
R.J.
Umberger - Brandon
Dubinsky - Artem
Anisimov
Cam
Atkinson - Derick
Brassard - Nick
Foligno
Vinny
Prospal - Ryan
Johansen - Derek
Dorsett
Derek
MacKenzie - Mark
Letestu - Jared
Boll
Colton
Gillies
Defensemen
Fedor
Tyutin - James
Wisniewski
Jack
Johnson - Ryan
Murray
John
Moore - Nikita
Nikitin
Adrian
Aucoin
Goaltenders
Sergei
Bobrovsky
Steve
Mason
NOTES:
It might not be a bad idea to start with pairing Dubinsky and
Anisimov because they came together from New York. Umberger and
Dubinsky also play a similar style and could mesh well. If the Blue
Jackets were fully committed to rebuilding, Johansen would be
centering one of the top two lines and playing 20 minutes a night. He
might end up on the wing, though, as a way to try to develop him
while the team tries to compete. Aucoin could be a nice mentor for
the kids on defense, but if Murray makes the team, the veteran isn't
likely to be among the top six on the blue line. There are other
possibilities here, David
Savard and newly acquired Tim
Erixon. Depth on defense shouldn't be an issue. Mason played
better at the end of last season after getting an adjustment to his
equipment, but Bobrovsky should be No. 1 at the start of the season
unless he falters.
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